Susie's Mocca Cheesecake

"I found this recipe in a South African magazine over 20 years ago and have been making a version of it ever since. It's a deliciously creamy cheesecake topped with a layer of chocolate. Serve with coffee after a meal."

Directions

Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray or butter. Mix 3 tablespoons of melted butter and the cookie crumbs in a bowl; press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate until needed.

Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the cold water in a heat-proof bowl and set aside for 10 minutes. When all of the water is absorbed and the grains have swelled, gently heat the bowl over a pot of simmering water just until the gelatin melts.

Beat 1 cup of cream, cottage cheese, and egg yolks together in a large mixing bowl. (See Editor's Notes if you prefer to pasteurize the egg yolks.) Beat in 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Pour in the melted gelatin and the cooled coffee and mix well.

Use a rubber spatula or wire whisk to fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the cheese mixture. Gently run the spatula through the center of the bowl, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated. Add the remaining egg white mixture, folding just until incorporated. Transfer the filling to the cake pan, spreading it gently over the cookie crust to smooth the surface. Chill until set, preferably overnight.

Combine the milk chocolate, milk, and 2 teaspoons of butter in a small saucepan. Melt the chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool; it should be fluid but not set. Pour the glaze over the cheesecake, spreading it to evenly coat the surface. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of cream in droplets over the glaze; swirl a toothpick through the glaze and cream to get a marbled effect. Chill until set, about 1 hour.

Carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan and transfer the cheesecake onto a serving platter.

Footnotes

Editor's Notes

To pasteurize the egg yolks, combine the cream and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of brown sugar into the egg yolks. Pour the hot cream into the yolk mixture in a steady stream, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, pour through a sieve, and allow to cool completely before proceeding with the recipe.

To pasteurize the egg whites, make a Swiss meringue. Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and the egg whites in a heat-proof mixing bowl or double boiler. Whisk just enough to break up the egg whites, but without making the mixture too foamy. Heat the egg whites over simmering water, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until the sugar melts and the egg whites are hot to the touch (145 degrees F/63 degrees C). Remove from heat and whip until soft peaks form. Read more about meringues in our Advice article.